Mariachi at the Granada

The sounds of trumpets, guitars, and violins filled the Granada Theatre last Saturday night as Mariachi Sol de México de José Hernández and the all-female mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles performed an evening of seasonal songs and traditional merriment.

The internationally acclaimed, Grammy-nominated group Mariachi Sol de México gave an exuberant performance that celebrated the passion of the musical genre that finds its roots in 19th-century Western México. Reyna de Los Angeles, the Grammy-nominated troupe from Southern California, added to the evening with a demonstration of vibrant instrumental skills and vocal arrangements. A highlight of the show was their charming rendition of Jule Styne’s 1945 carol “Let it Snow.”

The historic music of mariachi is primarily male dominated, so it was an honor to hear Reyna’s take on the cultural significance of the music and the excitement of the holiday season. Reyna’s violinist/vocalist Laura Peña echoed the audience’s assessment of the evening when she said, “It’s a pleasure to start December with such an amazing show, the Merry-Achi Christmas.”